Business tycoons from southwest WA? All under the age of 20? Yep. All thanks to the Washington Business Week program, local business and education professionals, and the generous sponsorship of the IPT and WA State’s DFI.
60 teens spent this school week learning how to become the next generation of successful business professionals. Divided into teams and led by educators and business professionals in tandem, students competed with one another over the course of the week while running a business simulation to become the most profitable business.
In addition to learning how to run a lucrative business, these teens learned about the stewardship responsibilities associated with being a successful professional. Learning how to treat value co-workers, to respect the environment, and how to plan for emergencies beyond our control – all of these are skills needed in today’s workplace.
Students also had the chance to learn about creating and building their own most profitable life. Through a generous grant from the Investor Protection Trust and the Support of the Dept. Of Financial Institutions, teens heard the Investor Education in Your Community presentation and learned about the magic of compounding interest and the ease with which tomorrow’s nest egg is created by a commitment to saving just a little bit each and every day.
When the audience was asked who would be starting on the path of saving and investing for the future, over 75% of the hands in the room went up.
When investor education reaches the ears and eyes of teens, everybody wins.